Chapter 59: Chapter 59: The Wheel of Wonders
Ethan finished dressing—a clean shirt and trousers—and turned to the System, running his fingers through his still-damp hair. "System, I almost forgot," he said. "What’s the roulette ticket for? I’ve been a little busy."
[Ah, yes, the Golden Ticket,] the System replied, a new, slightly theatrical tone in its voice. [The ticket is for this.]
A massive, intricate roulette wheel materialized directly in front of Ethan’s eyes, spinning slowly. It was covered with dazzling, chaotic inscriptions:
1 Dollar
1 Cent
1 Rock
Kung Fu Techniques (Earth Grade)
Basic Elemental Mastery (Fire)
Basic Elemental Mastery (Lightning)
Body Technique: Hard as Steel
Celestial Qi Resonance Scan
EroVision
The sheer variety of items was overwhelming.
[This is a special reward,] the System explained. "It’s a roulette wheel that holds all the System items below the Silver rank. It’s your chance to access abilities and tools that you haven’t earned yet."
Ethan stared at the wheel, speechless. "Wait. Ranks? What are the ranks?"
[The items are classified,] the System clarified, a list instantly appearing next to the wheel:
Iron
Bronze
Silver
Gold
Platinum
Diamond
[For example] the System continued, [Iron level includes basic firearms, cars, houses, simple iron swords—things from your basic world level.]
[Bronze level items are human-champion grade techniques. Your boxing moves, the Kung Fu techniques listed, or even the Basic Elemental Mastery over Fire—these are peak human abilities. They are very effective.]
[And Silver? Silver items are pure cheat codes] the System said with a hint of pride. [Abilities like EroVision and Celestial Qi Resonance Scan are support-level Silver. But then you have fun ones like Hard as Steel, which literally makes your body like steel, impervious to bullets or any physical damage below the Silver rank.]
Ethan was completely impacted. He had always assumed the System was just an ATM that provided cash and modern items. He hadn’t expected abilities out of fantasy novels.
"I... I can have those abilities?" Ethan stammered, pointing at the wheel. "If I can have them, does that mean there are other people in this world who have them too?"
The System let out a deep, knowing laugh. [The world is vast and expansive, Ethan. Do you honestly believe that all the legends from Asian countries about martial arts masters, or in India with beings who can even fly, or even in this country, where people allegedly transform into beasts—do you think those are just inventions made up by people on drugs?]
Ethan paused, processing the new reality. "The truth is... yes. I always thought they were myths. I didn’t expect any of it to be real. But well, if you exist, nothing would surprise me anymore, actually."
[Smart answer,] the System acknowledged. [Even those dragons from your fantasy novels exist, though they aren’t exactly how they’re depicted. At some point in your world’s history, they dominated your planet. That’s why there are records of them in Asia, Europe, America—even Africa has something similar to them.]
"Wait, dragons?" Ethan interrupted, eyes wide. "Real dragons? Like, fire-breathing?"
[Focus, Ethan. The ancients only recorded what they saw,] the System brushed off the question. [They didn’t see everything. Many beings never allowed themselves to be seen... but believe me, you are not ready for that yet. Advance step by step, and you will reach where you need to go.]
Ethan took a deep breath, trying to assimilate the cosmic horror mixed with exciting fantasy. "Okay. Step by step. So, what do I do with this wheel?"
[You spin it, you idiot,] the System replied simply.
Ethan took a deep breath, raising his hand to slap the edge of the holographic wheel. As it began to spin wildly, he started shouting his fervent wish: "EroVision! EroVision! EroVision!" He desperately wanted to save those 1,000 LUX Points, and, more importantly, stop being an idiot who couldn’t understand women.
The roulette spun and spun, a blur of possibility.
Slowly, agonizingly, it began to decelerate. Ethan leaned forward, his heart hammering as the indicator approached his desired skill. It crawled past Basic Elemental Mastery (Fire), then moved agonizingly close to EroVision... but right at the very last moment, it slipped past and clicked into place on...
[Body Technique: Hard as Steel]
A massive text block flashed across the screen:
[CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE WON A SILVER RANK ITEM!]
Body Technique: Hard as Steel Acquired!
Ethan stared at the result, his expression a mix of awe and disappointment. "Hard as Steel?" he muttered. "That’s... great, I guess. Bulletproof? But dammit! It landed right next to EroVision! I needed that more!"
[Suck it up, buttercup,] the System retorted, the roulette wheel dissolving. "You just got a Silver-ranked defensive technique! That’s massive! You can tank a sniper shot now! What good is knowing a woman’s deepest desire when you’re lying dead in a pool of blood?"
"But I still don’t understand women!" Ethan complained.
[You have a better chance of surviving women now, which is a start,] the System countered dryly. [Besides, EroVision wasn’t the only option on the erotic side. We have other, more practical techniques for guys who like to use their hands.]
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Like what? I didn’t see anything else."
[It’s in the Silver rank, Boss. It’s called ’EroTouch Mastery’,] the System revealed. "It’s a technique that modifies the sensitivity of your hands and fingers, allowing you to intuitively apply pressure and perform massages that naturally awaken a woman’s deepest lust and pleasure centers. We even put it on the roulette a few spins ago, hoping you’d land on it."
Ethan’s eyes lit up. "EroTouch Mastery... that sounds incredible. So, my hands become... magic?"
[Yes. Magic] the System confirmed with a sigh. [But you wasted your one free spin. We can talk about buying it later. For now, try out your new ’Hard as Steel’ technique.]
"How do I turn it on?"
The System cackled, a metallic, mocking sound. [Ah, there’s the fun part! It’s a technique, Ethan. That means you have to practice. The most convenient way would be to get beaten up by other people, or maybe you could just go get hit by a car to level it up quickly.]
Ethan froze, his eyes widening. "You’re kidding me, right?"
[Absolutely not,] the System replied cheerfully.
Ethan sighed, resigned. "I hope this is as useful as you say. Although... this is really going to hurt."
[Exactly! Now you get it,] the System replied enthusiastically. "However, don’t feel bad. If you want the other skills without spending points, just get another spin pass!"
Ethan’s interest immediately piqued. "Excellent! Tell me, how do I get another pass?"
The System responded with a cruel, synthetic chuckle. [I don’t know! I suppose the System will give it to you if you do something special... Wait a minute, I am the System! Hahahaha!]
Ethan merely rolled his eyes, ignoring the System’s internal laughter, and walked toward the bathroom to try and get some actual sleep before his early morning at the bank and MIT.